NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 2: Lost Spring

We at chandrastudyroom providing the question answers for Lesson 2, "Lost Spring" from the Class 12 English Flamingo textbook! This chapter, penned by Anees Jung, is a poignant exploration of the harsh realities faced by children trapped in poverty. Below, you'll find comprehensive answers to all the questions from the textbook.

Think As You Read (Textbook Page 13)

1. What is Saheb looking for in the garbage dumps? Where is he and where has he come from?
   Answer: Saheb is looking for anything valuable, like coins or other items, in the garbage dumps, metaphorically described as searching for "gold." He is in Seemapuri, a slum on the periphery of Delhi. Saheb and his family are originally from Dhaka, Bangladesh, where they were displaced due to storms that swept away their fields and homes, forcing them to migrate to India.

2. What explanations does the author offer for the children not wearing footwear?
   Answer: The author offers two explanations for why the children in Seemapuri do not wear footwear. One is that it’s a tradition to stay barefoot, a socially accepted norm among these impoverished communities. The other, more realistic reason is that they simply cannot afford shoes, and staying barefoot is an excuse to mask their poverty.

3. Is Saheb happy working at the tea stall? Explain.
   Answer: Saheb is not happy working at the tea stall. Although the job provides him with regular meals and a small wage of 800 rupees, he has lost his freedom and carefree spirit. The steel canister he carries seems heavier than the plastic bag he used to carry while scavenging, symbolizing the burden of structured work. His expression reflects a loss of joy, as he is no longer his own master.

Think As You Read (Textbook Page 17)

1. What makes the city of Firozabad famous?
   Answer: Firozabad is famous for its bangle-making industry. It is known as the center of India’s glass-blowing industry, where families have been engaged in crafting glass bangles for generations, which are worn by women across the country as a symbol of tradition and suhaag (marital status).

2. Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry.
   Answer: Working in the glass bangle industry involves several hazards. Workers, including children, are exposed to high temperatures from furnaces, which can cause burns. The poorly lit and ventilated workshops lead to health issues, particularly loss of eyesight due to prolonged exposure to the dim light and harmful glass dust. The repetitive and strenuous work also takes a toll on their physical health.

3. How is Mukesh’s attitude to his situation different from that of his family?
   Answer: Mukesh’s attitude is markedly different from his family’s. While his family accepts bangle-making as their destined profession, trapped by tradition and poverty, Mukesh aspires to break free from this cycle. He dreams of becoming a motor mechanic, showing ambition and a desire to escape the oppressive conditions of his family’s trade, unlike their resigned acceptance.

Understanding the Text

1. Why could the bangle makers not organise themselves into a cooperative?
   Answer: The bangle makers cannot organize into a cooperative due to the vicious cycle of poverty and exploitation. They are trapped by middlemen, moneylenders, and corrupt officials, including police and bureaucrats, who ensure their compliance through intimidation and economic dependence. This system stifles any initiative to organize, as they lack the resources, education, and courage to challenge the status quo.

2. Who is Mukesh? What is his dream?
   Answer: Mukesh is a young boy from a family of bangle makers in Firozabad. His dream is to become a motor mechanic, a stark contrast to the traditional occupation of his family. He aspires to work in a garage, reflecting his ambition to escape the cycle of poverty and the hazardous bangle-making trade.

3. Is it possible for Mukesh to realise his dream? Justify your answer.
   Answer: Realizing Mukesh’s dream is challenging but not entirely impossible. The odds are stacked against him due to his family’s poverty, lack of education, and the entrenched social and economic system that binds bangle makers to their trade. However, his determination and clear vision of wanting to be a motor mechanic suggest a spark of hope. With access to education, vocational training, or external support, he could potentially break free, though it would require significant effort and opportunity.

4. What are the reasons for the perpetual poverty of the bangle makers of Firozabad?
   Answer: The perpetual poverty of Firozabad’s bangle makers stems from multiple factors. They are trapped in a vicious cycle of exploitation by middlemen, moneylenders, and corrupt officials, which keeps them indebted and powerless. The lack of education limits their opportunities to pursue alternative livelihoods. Social stigma and the caste system reinforce their role as bangle makers, while the hazardous working conditions impair their health, further reducing their earning capacity. These factors collectively ensure their poverty persists across generations.

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